Orrick and Willkie joined a lengthening list of Big Law firms expanding their finance and M&A teams in Europe.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in Paris has hired Willkie Farr & Gallagher finance partner Igor Kukhta, who advises on private credit transactions and other leveraged financings.

Orrick said Kukhta, who arrives with two associates, represents private credit lenders, special situations funds, corporations, private equity funds and banks in leveraged acquisition financings. He focuses on distressed financings, corporate credit facilities, debt restructurings and other debt…